One of the biggest signings in MLS was Heung-Min Son to LAFC. A few days ago, the former Tottenham Hotspur captain revealed the reason why he decided to move to MLS.
Even after a difficult start to the season, Son has returned to contributing and helping his team in the same way he did when he first arrived, providing the difference that comes with being an established player in Europe.
However, right now, we are not seeing the same Heung-Min Son everyone knew on its last chapter with the Spurs. His time at LAFC turned him back again into the young player who surprised everyone at Bayern Leverkusen and at the beggining of his era on the Premier League.
Heung-Min Son returns as a playmaker rather than a striker
Early in his career, Son was a winger, meaning he operated out wide rather than as a center forward, as he did with South Korea at the World Cup and at the beginning of his time with LAFC.
However, since returning from the international competition, the 34-year-old has evolved his style of play in MLS, becoming more of a playmaker rather than a lethal goalscorer.
Watching LAFC’s games makes it clear: Son still carries the striker’s confidence he developed over the years, but instead of focusing on scoring spectacular goals himself, he now prioritizes creating opportunities for his teammates to score.
You have to see his numbers this season and compare them to last season. This season, Son has tallied five goals and 11 assists, compared to 12 goals and four assists last year.
After the transfer window, LAFC were left without many alternatives to create chances following the departures of Ordóñez and Martínez.
So, as an experienced player who understood the team's needs, Son took on that role to help the Black and Gold in decisive matches with the playoffs just around the corner.
The South Korean speeds up or slows down plays, thinks, and makes the right decisions, using all the attributes that allowed him to excel in the Premier League and putting them to work alongside a striker like Denis Bouanga.
LAFC have faced a challenging stretch in recent games, dropping from second to third place and now sitting level on points with FC Dallas and St. Louis SC, who occupy fourth and fifth in the Western Conference.
Now, the team has a very interesting calendar, alternating between “easy” and “difficult” games that will make or break the playoff run. The truth is that LAFC isn’t in great form, and their last three draws and one defeat in their last four games should be something to take into account.
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